It’s Random Acts of Kindness week, an annual celebration that encourages small moments of goodwill and compassion towards ourselves and others.
It was initiated in Denver, Colorado, by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation in 1995 and has since spread worldwide.
Although acts of kindness are promoted all week, the day is officially celebrated on February 17 each year, with people seeking ways to be more kind.
According to a 2020 survey by the Mental Health Foundation, kindness has a positive impact on the mental health of 63 per cent of adults in the UK.
The same survey also found that treating others kindly also improves their mental health.
If you wish to get involved this year but need some inspiration, here are 20 random acts of kindness ideas.
Random acts of kindness
1. Donate to a cause you care about, no matter how small your donation might be.
2. Leave a secret positive message somewhere. For instance, you could leave a little note that says “Hope you have a lovely day today!” on your train seat.
3. If you stop by a coffee shop, offer to buy the next customer’s coffee.
4. Take a second to ask your postman or your delivery courier about their day.
5. Write a letter to an old teacher or mentor thanking them for all the knowledge they imparted to you.
6. Ask your neighbours if you can help them out with something like dog sitting or carrying groceries.
7. Make a list of your best friend’s lovely qualities and read them out to them.
8. Call a family member just to say “I love you”.
9. Leave a glowing online review for an eatery or retail store you would highly recommend.
10. Think of what your strongest skills are and offer to give your colleagues a free class about one of them.
11. Cook yourself your favourite meal, knowing that you, too, deserve acts of kindness.
12. Donate blood.
13. Buy a homeless person a lovely warm meal.
14. Tell a pair of new parents you know that they are doing a great job.
15. Buy a few extra items during your grocery shop to give to food banks.
16. Take a look through your cupboards and wardrobe to see if there are things you can give to your neighbours via apps such as Next Door, Freecycle and Olio.
17. Join Age UK’s telephone befriending service and chat with an older person.
18. Offer to help someone who is carrying a heavy bag or a pram.
19. If you see litter on the streets as you walk, take a second to put it in the bin.
20. Make a playlist or a mixtape for a loved one.
